Calling all artists

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF New Zealand) and ATEED will be bringing a trail of 70 fun, creative whale tail sculptures to the streets next year, each illustrated by a different artist, with the aim of highlighting WWF NZ's work in marine protection in the Hauraki Gulf. Design submissions are invited by 1 June 2020 with a $1500 commission paid to selected artists on completion of their work in Auckland in the second half of this year. More information can be found on its website.

Entries for Focus on Ability Short Film Festival 2020

The Focus on Ability Short Film Festival asks filmmakers to "focus on the ability" of people with disability and tell a story on film for the world to view. The 2020 festival is set to be the biggest yet, and sponsors have donated over $160,000 worth of cash and prizes to encourage filmmakers and people with disability to tell their stories. In 2019, 244 films were entered from 26 countries, including New Zealand. Entries now close 31 July. For more information contact admin@focusonability.com Full details on its website.

Entries for the 2020 Parkin Drawing Prize

Entries for the 2020 Parkin Drawing Prize are now open. The prize was founded in 2012 by arts patron, businessman and philanthropist Chris Parkin. This year the grand prize will be $25,000 with a further 10 highly commended prizes of $500 each. Entries close at 4pm on Wednesday 3 June 2020, after which the finalists will be pre-selected by the judging panel. The winner will be announced on Monday 3 August 2020 to coincide with a public exhibition showcasing all finalists’ works at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts in Wellington. For entry forms and further information

Applications for the 2020 ROSL International Residency are now open

There are two residencies available for visual artists from Commonwealth or former Commonwealth countries who have never studied or exhibited in the UK. The two-month residencies are fully funded, and focus on networking and creative development, with opportunities for artists to share their work with a UK audience. The residencies offer artists time and space to develop creatively in a calm, productive and connected environment. The deadline for applications is 5 May 2020, and the residencies run from 7 September to 31 October. For more information and to apply

2020 Cultural Fund open for applications

Screenrights’ 2020 Cultural Fund is open for grant applications with this year’s focus on New Voices and people who experience barriers. It is open to anyone in Australia and New Zealand who meets the requirements and applications close at 5pm on Wednesday 29 April. “Our 2020 focus on ‘New Voices’ is about advancing those who, for whatever reason, have found doors not readily open to them,” said James Dickinson, Screenrights’ Chief Executive. “That might be due to their living in a remote location, or because of a language barrier, a social, economic or accessibility disadvantage or a lack of confidence that anyone will back their project. We’re excited to see how this year’s applicants will address these obstacles in their initiatives.” The Fund awards up to $50,000 per initiative. For guidelines and application forms

Lysaght Watt Trust Art Awards 2020

Entries are now open for the Lysaght Watt Trust Art Awards 2020 - Lysaght Watt Gallery, with the theme "Time Out". Complete the official entry form and send with the non-refundable $40 fee by Sunday 17 May 2020. Contact artawards.lwg@gmail.com for an entry form or see its website for more information.

Creatives in Schools programme

Applications are now open for the first round of the Ministry of Education's Creatives in Schools programme, which partners artists and creative practitioners with teachers and kaiako to foster new learning experiences for students and ākonga of all ages. Visit Arts Online for more details.

Revolution Creative

Get hired, advance your career, connect with other creatives, get industry tips and tools from experienced practitioners, and find rewarding employment through Revolution Creative. This is a website where people wanting work in the creative industries can create a free profile and upload their portfolio of creative work to connect with employers looking for the skills they offer. It is operated by Auckland's Depot Artspace, and described as '"he new home for creatives in New Zealand". For more info

Laminate samples for art projects

Laminex New Zealand has samples of Melteca (9cm x 5.5cm and 3mm thick) and, in the coming months, also Formica (7cm x 5cm and 1mm thick) for use in creative projects. If you have visions of dragon scales, wearable art projects or other wild imaginings that could use these samples please email Jenny Hutchings with the quantity you would like, and your location, and they could be sent out to you directly.

Māpura Studios and its Stroke Art Therapy programme

Stroke can affect anyone at any age, at any time, with devastating effects. Māpura Studios offers an intensive 12-week Stroke Art Therapy course at very little cost to participants. Many have benefited from this life-changing course and have gone on to reclaim their lives. Some further develop their new-found skills in the Arts Transition and Leading a Creative Life classes, and find a new identity as artists. For more information about Māpura Studios and its the Stroke Art Therapy programme, visit the Māpura Studios website, call 09 845 5361 or email info@mapurastudios.org.nz.

Online promotions: The Big Idea

This online community for New Zealand arts and artists features art news, arts jobs, and other work and income opportunities. You can create your own profile and upload content about what you do and the artists you work with.

Playhouse Theatre available for hire

Playhouse Theatre is promoting its venue to disability performing groups. A community theatre in West Auckland, it has facilities for disabled performers that includes accessible toilets in front of house and backstage green room, two wheelchair spaces in the auditorium, a ramp entrance at the front of the theatre, direct level access suitable for wheelchairs from the rear parking area to the green room, and an electric wheelchair lift from the green room to the stage. Address: 15 Glendale Road, Glen Eden, Waitakere City, Auckland. For more information or to book the venue contact the Theatre Manager (T: 09 818 5751 M: 021 215 1271 E: enquiries@playhousetheatre.org.nz) or visit the website.